Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council asked him to provide identification to progress a complaint he made in 2022. This is because the complaint is made late and I see no good reason to consider it now.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains that the Council asked him to provide identification in order to progress a complaint he made in 2022.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. I will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it made late. I see no good reason why Mr X could not have brought the matter to our attention sooner.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is made late.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman